An open verdict : $b a novel, volume 3 (of 3)

"An Open Verdict: A Novel" by M. E. Braddon is a fictional work written in the late 19th century. The novel is set in an English village and centers around the romantic entanglements and societal expectations faced by its characters, particularly Bella Scratchell, who grapples with the choice of marrying the wealthy but unsavory Mr. Piper or risking her family's financial security. The opening of this volume introduces Bella and her family, showcasing her father's insistence on her marriage to Mr. Piper due to his substantial fortune. Bella is torn between the societal pressures of securing a comfortable life for her family and her own feelings, which lead her to reject Mr. Piper initially. As tensions rise within the Scratchell household regarding Bella's decision, a dynamic character in Mrs. Dulcimer advocates for her, asserting that the marriage would be advantageous for Bella and her family. This tension sets the stage for the exploration of choices, love, and social status as the narrative unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Elizabeth Braddon was an English popular novelist of the Victorian era. She is best known for her 1862 sensation novel Lady Audley's Secret, which has also been dramatised and filmed several times.